Maksim Chmerkovskiy Not Leaving ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ Bergeron Says

Backstage at the Emmys, best reality TV host winner Tom Bergeron denied the reports that professional dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy is leaving “Dancing With the Stars.”

“He said that it was taken out of context,” Bergeron said. “At the end of his contract, which runs through two more seasons, he’s thinking of pursuing acting. … He’s going to be with us beyond this season.”

The New York Post reported Sept. 21 that Chmerkovskiy was leaving after his contract expires at the end of 2013.

“What else do I have to do there after 15 seasons? It makes total sense,” Chmerkovskiy told the newspaper. “The audience can’t expect for me to want to stick around, and the producers can’t expect me to want to stick around.”

Chmerkovskiy said he wants to pursue an acting career and a possible reality show with his brother and fellow dancer, Val.

Chmerkovskiy has appeared on the Ukrainian version of ‘The Bachelor’ and currently hosts a Ukrainian game show called “The Cube.” He also has landed the lead role of a Latin dancer in a romantic comedy that begins shooting in January.

“I never thought I was ready [for movie acting]. Then I had a whole day of reading with the director and casting director, and I enjoyed it so much,” Chmerkovskiy told the NY Post. ” I caught the bug, as they say. This is something I really want to do.”